South Africa is proudly the home of the world's most famous game reserve called The Kruger National Park. This is a massive park that covers almost 20 000 square kilometres. The four surrounding regions are Limpopo, Mozambique, Mpumalanga and Zimbabwe. All of these regions are stunning in their own right, and four new reasons to take four more vacations.
In 2001 UNESCO registered the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere as a reserve. It is a combination of Savannah, grasslands and forests and also happens to be the 3rd biggest in the world. SA boasts 6 biosphere regions, this one being the largest of them.
Conservation groups around the world consider the reserve a leader in creating, developing, and implementing environmental management policies and techniques. It is home to a diverse population of bird, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. More than 300 different tree species grow on its land. The archaeological sites at Thulamela and Masorini as well as the bushman rock paintings scattered throughout the park are evident of man's early and prolonged presence in this environment over a span of many centuries.
The most requested tour in the Kruger is the open Jeep big 5 tours. Video and photography hunting lions, the leopards, the rhinos, the elephants, and the Cape buffalo is what makes this tour so popular. It's not easy to capture a glimpse of one of these animals, let alone take a photo of them! They are very dangerous, but beautiful animals, but are not the only kind around. There is a variety of buck, crocodiles, baboons, hippos, hyenas and many, many more to see.
Touring the park by car while the sun is up is the most popular way to view wildlife. Guided tours are available at some camps. Armed and experienced rangers will guide guests through the park in a 4x4 vehicle or on foot. Unauthorized walking is not only prohibited throughout the reserve but also foolish and dangerous.
The roads are in good condition so makes for easy and comfortable drives and tours. None of these roads are tarred; they are all well maintained dirt roads.
Even though these are only dirt tracks and roads, there are strict speed limits. Animals will walk right in front of your car without warning, so speeding can be dangerous for you and the wildlife. Besides, the sound of a roaring engine is not conducive to spotting any animals.
There are 13 camp sites and lodges all over the reserve, the closest to the Kruger gates is only 20 minutes away, and is also the headquarters of the Kruger National Park. You can stay in the lap of luxury in a lodge or hotel that has spa facilities and or a swimming pool and laundry service, or you can rough it and stay in a tent. For the men and women who enjoy a round of golf, there is even one alongside the Sabie River, where animals frequently come to dink and swim. If you need gas, there is even a gas pump, and a library.
The restored village of Masorini dates back to the Iron Age. The BaPhalaborwa, a society of forgers and smelters, occupied this region during the 1800s. The reconstructed furnace and huts are as authentic as possible and the site features the remains of an original furnace. Masorini is easily accessible and is approximately 12 km away from the Phalaborwa gate, on the way to Letaba rest camp.
Archaeologists uncovered two bodies when excavating bombs were detonated in the area of Thulamela (which sits on a plateau in the north of the reserve) and believed they were royals since they were adorned with gold. They were discovered and named by the excavating team, King Ingwe and Queen Losha. The site remained undiscovered until 1993 and the oldest stones ruins date back to the fifteen hundreds. This royal citadel is amongst the most historically significant archaeological sites in the country.
Its location south of the border means South Africa has a subtropical climate and the seasons are opposite what they are in Europe, North America and other northern hemisphere destinations. In general, the weather is hot and dry. It rarely rains in this region with occasional showers from September to April. Many visitors find the end of winter to be the ideal time because animals are easier to spot when the brush is low. This is also a good time to view wildlife congregating around watering holes.
In 2001 UNESCO registered the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere as a reserve. It is a combination of Savannah, grasslands and forests and also happens to be the 3rd biggest in the world. SA boasts 6 biosphere regions, this one being the largest of them.
Conservation groups around the world consider the reserve a leader in creating, developing, and implementing environmental management policies and techniques. It is home to a diverse population of bird, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. More than 300 different tree species grow on its land. The archaeological sites at Thulamela and Masorini as well as the bushman rock paintings scattered throughout the park are evident of man's early and prolonged presence in this environment over a span of many centuries.
The most requested tour in the Kruger is the open Jeep big 5 tours. Video and photography hunting lions, the leopards, the rhinos, the elephants, and the Cape buffalo is what makes this tour so popular. It's not easy to capture a glimpse of one of these animals, let alone take a photo of them! They are very dangerous, but beautiful animals, but are not the only kind around. There is a variety of buck, crocodiles, baboons, hippos, hyenas and many, many more to see.
Touring the park by car while the sun is up is the most popular way to view wildlife. Guided tours are available at some camps. Armed and experienced rangers will guide guests through the park in a 4x4 vehicle or on foot. Unauthorized walking is not only prohibited throughout the reserve but also foolish and dangerous.
The roads are in good condition so makes for easy and comfortable drives and tours. None of these roads are tarred; they are all well maintained dirt roads.
Even though these are only dirt tracks and roads, there are strict speed limits. Animals will walk right in front of your car without warning, so speeding can be dangerous for you and the wildlife. Besides, the sound of a roaring engine is not conducive to spotting any animals.
There are 13 camp sites and lodges all over the reserve, the closest to the Kruger gates is only 20 minutes away, and is also the headquarters of the Kruger National Park. You can stay in the lap of luxury in a lodge or hotel that has spa facilities and or a swimming pool and laundry service, or you can rough it and stay in a tent. For the men and women who enjoy a round of golf, there is even one alongside the Sabie River, where animals frequently come to dink and swim. If you need gas, there is even a gas pump, and a library.
The restored village of Masorini dates back to the Iron Age. The BaPhalaborwa, a society of forgers and smelters, occupied this region during the 1800s. The reconstructed furnace and huts are as authentic as possible and the site features the remains of an original furnace. Masorini is easily accessible and is approximately 12 km away from the Phalaborwa gate, on the way to Letaba rest camp.
Archaeologists uncovered two bodies when excavating bombs were detonated in the area of Thulamela (which sits on a plateau in the north of the reserve) and believed they were royals since they were adorned with gold. They were discovered and named by the excavating team, King Ingwe and Queen Losha. The site remained undiscovered until 1993 and the oldest stones ruins date back to the fifteen hundreds. This royal citadel is amongst the most historically significant archaeological sites in the country.
Its location south of the border means South Africa has a subtropical climate and the seasons are opposite what they are in Europe, North America and other northern hemisphere destinations. In general, the weather is hot and dry. It rarely rains in this region with occasional showers from September to April. Many visitors find the end of winter to be the ideal time because animals are easier to spot when the brush is low. This is also a good time to view wildlife congregating around watering holes.
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Now that you have learned plenty to raise your curiosity, why then not think about taking a break and pay a visit to this extraordinary park? E-mail us on our web site Cape Tours to read more and traveling suggestions for the experience off a life time!